Arsenal have signed Portugal U21 defender Nuno Tavares from Benfica on a five-year deal.

According to reports, the deal for the youngster was reportedly worth around £8m.

The Gunners are off to a great start in the transfer window and have nailed their first summer deal, beating off European clubs Napoli and Real Sociedad to sign defender Tavares from Benfica.

Tavares, 21, is expected to link up with the rest of the squad in north London once he's completed his isolation period.

Tavares is a very talented player, and according to Technical director Edu, the 21-year-old is a perfect backup for Kieran Tierney at the left-back position.

Asked about how he got the call to play for the London club, Tavares said it was through his agent. The 21-year-old admitted he was excited about the permanent switch.

Admiringly, he praised Edu and manager Mikel Arteta. Tavares said the duo spoke with him every time, and that boosted his confidence to make a switch to the Premier League. The Portuguese international had been previously linked to Napoli and got a bumper offer from La Liga side Real Sociedad but reportedly turned both down.

Arsenal finished eighth the last season, four places from neighbours Chelsea (fourth). However, with the new season still underway, boss Mikel Arteta wants to bolster the squad. It's unsurprising, though, that he should bring in defenders to shore up his backline.

Though Arsenal boasted the third-best defence in the Premier League the last season, conceding 39 goals — seven more than water-tight Manchester City (32) and three more than solid Chelsea (36).

However, the Gunners still have their eyes for top target Ben White and hope they can fend off interests from Manchester City, who have also moved in to sign the Brighton defender.

In addition, talks of a completed move for Belgium midfielder Sambi Lokonga is underway.